MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somalia’s federal and state leaders have set out a new framework of elections as the country prepares for the lengthy Lower House elections, which will culminate in the election of a new president in October.
A communique from a two-day meeting between the Prime Minister and Federal Member State presidents levelled out some of the sticky points, including the selection of delegates, election budget and security.
Regarding the selection of delegates, the meeting assigned the role to clan elders registered by the federal government and civil society representatives.
The list of delegates will be approved by the State Indirect Elections Team (SIET).
Each MP will be elected by 101 delegates meaning 27,775 electors will be casting their vote this year. This is double the number of those who participated in the 2016 round.
On the election budget, the National Consultative Council (NCC) resolved that the committee will comprise representatives from the regional government and the Office of the Prime Minister.
Funding for the committee will be released within 15 days of the budget’s submission.
The elections security will be overseen by a team of ten police chiefs from the Somali Police Force, regional police, UNSOM, AMISOM and a representative from the Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET).
The security teams will provide security for the elections, focusing on Somaliland, Banaadiri and presidential elections.
